N.I.M.B.Y. vs.Beach 116 Street Revitalization

Dear Editor,

The revitalization of the Beach 116 Street corridor will not be accomplished until there is an economic incentive to do so. Development of derelict properties, i.e., the Lawrence Hotel and the old movie house, will not go forward without these incentives. The local community board, in conjunction with input from the Rockaway Chamber of Commerce, might consider the following:

Rezoning the Beach 116 Street corridor from the promenade to Beach Channel Drive from R-5 to C4-2. This commercial designation is identical to the existing Mott Avenue/Beach 20 Street boundaries.

The C4-2 designation is equivalent to an R-6 residential district, with bulk and height restrictions greater than currently exist, but less than the R7A proposal recently rejected. This compromise might satisfy local residents and provide developers with economic incentives to proceed.